An ongoing feature in which I recommend the work and websites of people who buy me dinner. Today’s entry: Ross Kiester!

I met Ross Kiester at the Platform Animation Festival in Portland, OR, where his two brilliant and charming teenage daughters impressed me with their impeccable taste (they’re fans of the Stork). Last week Ross was in New York doing…well, all kinds of things. For not only is he a mathematician into discreet global grids, but he’s also a turtle conservationist. The latter is how he knows Eric Goode of the Maritime Hotel – turns out he’s a turtle conservationist too. Those turtle conservationists form a tight community, which is why fellow

Ms. Laaw-yuhr asks a good question: why go through the trouble and expense of putting Sita Sings the Blues on 35mm film?

1. The most prestigious and important film festivals still show only film, not video. The next deadline for the first of these is Berlin, November 1st. If Sita is accepted, she’ll have to be on film by the end of January.

There’s been a huge proliferation of film festivals in recent years, and many do screen video and DVD. But the “big five” (Berlin, Cannes, Venice, Toronto and Sundance) retain a strong preference – if not outright requirement – for film.

My current plan involves persuading 15 people to lend me $2,000 each. A mere $2K buys a credit of your choice, and I’ll pay you back as soon as the movie gets money (before I pay back myself). How does that sound? I’m also trying to arrange a screening (on DVD) in New York so all you moneybags can see what you’re supporting. Any venues out there want to help? Actually if anyone out there wants to organize a fundraising screening in another city, that’d be great too. I’m shooting for November or December. Talk to me, baby!

My current plan involves persuading 15 people to lend me $2,000 each. A

Anyone have $30,000 lying around I can borrow? That’s about how much it will cost to get the digital film-out, soundtrack and processing for a 35mm print of Sita Sings the Blues. I promise I’ll pay you right back once the big bucks start rolling in. There’s big bucks in quirky little self-animated art films, right? And the dollar’s weak right now, so if you loan me $30,000 in euros or rupees it’s like a good deal or something.

Anyone have $30,000 lying around I can borrow? That’s about how much it will cost to get the digital film-out, soundtrack and processing for a 35mm print of